Director, Strategy – Operations

Jobtailor; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspen Institute is seeking a seasoned nonprofit program leader to supervise staff, set strategy, and ensure program integrity across grants and partnerships. The role emphasizes actionable planning, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven outcomes.

You will manage budgets and fundraising efforts, develop reporting materials, and represent the program internally and with external partners, including academic and philanthropic networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, program management, philanthropy, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, grants, contracts, and funded projects.
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.
• Ability to translate vision into execution.
• Comfort in a fast-moving environment where responsibilities may extend beyond 9–5 hours.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing reports, proposals, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships across sectors and constituencies.
• Interest in the mission of public philosophy and the broader goals of the Philosophy & Society Initiative.
• Familiarity with philosophy, ethics, or civic dialogue is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise program staff and foster a high-performing team culture.
• Establish goals, accountability structures, and professional development opportunities.
• Coordinate decision-making processes and prepare briefing materials.
• Manage strategic projects and ensure follow-through on key priorities.
• Oversee day-to-day program operations and develop efficient, accountable systems.
• Establish workflows and processes supporting program priorities.
• Track grant deliverables, monitor milestones, prepare reports, and ensure funder compliance.
• Manage program budgets and support financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Partner with the Executive Director to set and execute strategic priorities.
• Lead planning processes and cross-functional initiatives.
• Track program performance, evaluate impact, and report outcomes using data.
• Develop fundraising strategies, cultivate funder relationships, and contribute to donor stewardship.
• Lead proposal development, reporting, and grant management efforts.
• Build relationships with philanthropic partners, academic institutions, media organizations, and external collaborators.
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships.
• Oversee public programs, workshops, convenings, and special events.
• Represent the program internally and collaborate across the Aspen Institute.
• Lead or support special initiatives, including program launches and institutional partnerships.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Program management

Strategic planning

Grant management

Team management

Budget management

Data evaluation

Proposal development

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

• Supervise program staff and support a high-performing team culture.


• Establish goals, accountability structures, and professional development opportunities.


• Coordinate decision-making processes and prepare briefing materials.


• Manage strategic projects and ensure follow-through on key priorities.


• Oversee day-to-day program operations and develop efficient, accountable systems.


• Establish workflows and processes supporting program priorities.


• Track grant deliverables, monitor milestones, prepare reports, and ensure funder compliance.


• Manage program budgets and support financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.


• Partner with the Executive Director to set and execute strategic priorities.


• Lead planning processes and cross-functional initiatives.


• Track program performance, evaluate impact, and report outcomes using data.


• Develop fundraising strategies, cultivate funder relationships, and contribute to donor stewardship.


• Lead proposal development, reporting, and grant management efforts.


• Build relationships with philanthropic partners, academic institutions, media organizations, and external collaborators.


• Identify and develop strategic partnerships.


• Oversee public programs, workshops, convenings, and special events.


• Represent the program internally and collaborate across the Aspen Institute.


• Lead or support special initiatives, including program launches and institutional partnerships.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.


• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, program management, philanthropy, or a related field.


• Experience managing teams, budgets, grants, contracts, and funded projects.


• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.


• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.


• Ability to translate vision into execution.


• Comfort in a fast-moving environment where responsibilities may extend beyond 9–5 hours.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Experience preparing reports, proposals, presentations, and briefing materials.


• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.


• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.


• Ability to build and sustain relationships across sectors and constituencies.


• Interest in the mission of public philosophy and the broader goals of the Philosophy & Society Initiative.


• Familiarity with philosophy, ethics, or civic dialogue is a plus.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates strong leadership in nonprofit program management, with expertise in strategic planning, budget management, and grant oversight. Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate across sectors while executing complex initiatives and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Nonprofit Leadership


• Program Management


• Strategic Planning


• Grant Management


• Team Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Budget Management


• Grant Tracking


• Proposal Development


• Data Evaluation


• Project Management

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication


• Organizational Leadership


• Relationship Building


• Attention to Detail


• Adaptability

Industry Keywords

• Philanthropy


• Civic Dialogue


• Public Philosophy


• Stakeholder Engagement


• Funder Compliance